Switzerland: Kempower provides Swiss Post with scalable charging infrastructure for a multimodal site
Decarbonizing the transport sector has reached a new milestone as electrification expands across complex heavy-duty and scheduled route operations. At the new Villmergen logistics center, Swiss Post has commissioned an advanced charging infrastructure purpose-built for these exact requirements.
Repower supported the project as an experienced partner and was responsible for the planning, installation, and commissioning. The hardware technology was supplied by Jebsen & Jessen, an official distribution partner of Kempower in Switzerland. This marks Repower’s largest installation of Kempower products to date.
Mixed use and complex construction conditions
The central requirement for the site was high flexibility of the charging infrastructure. The facility is designed for the parallel operation of electric buses from PostAuto and e-trucks from Swiss Post Cargo. This dual use requires a dynamic system capable of charging different vehicle types and battery sizes on demand.
Furthermore, the structural conditions in Villmergen presented the project team with special technical challenges. For instance, a dedicated new transformer station had to be built for the charging infrastructure. To adhere to the ambitious schedule, a temporary high-power connection was required during the construction phase. In addition, the supply cables for the charging systems were laid in complex, three-meter-deep shafts. Another hurdle was the high local groundwater level, which necessitated building raised foundations for the power cabinets to permanently protect the power electronics.
Dynamic power distribution across 16 charging points
To optimally scale the charging infrastructure for both PostAuto and Swiss Post Cargo, Kempower’s modular technology is utilized. A total of 16 charging points were implemented, which flexibly adapt to the fleets’ downtimes. The setup includes 14 Kempower Control Units, equipped with 14 Kempower Cable Arms for ergonomic cable management. Additionally, two Kempower Liquid-Cooled Satellites provide the high charging power necessary for extremely fast charging cycles, which is a decisive advantage, especially during short stopovers for heavy trucks.
Smooth installation, satisfied drivers
Solid planning by Kempower’s partner Repower ensured an uncomplicated commissioning. “The installation of the new Kempower charging infrastructure in Villmergen went smoothly and on schedule. The technology impresses with its high reliability and flexibility – exactly what we need for the daily operation of our e-trucks and e-buses”, summarizes Karl Klaus, Real Estate Project Manager at Swiss Post.
The project in Villmergen underscores the electrification of heavy-duty and logistics fleets as a central lever of the mobility transition. With this future-oriented and scalable solution, Swiss Post, Repower, Jebsen & Jessen, and Kempower are jointly making an important contribution to sustainable transport logistics in Switzerland.
However, the feedback from the drivers is at least as important. Karl Klaus adds: “We are particularly pleased with the feedback from the drivers on site. They emphasize that they would no longer want to trade their electrically powered vehicles for a diesel vehicle and that charging is simple and straightforward.”
Photos © Repower
